Matching a hire car to your passengers and luggage
Tell the team how many people will travel and how many cases, buggies or bulky bags you expect. Seating and boot space are separate questions. Say whether you need an automatic or are happy with a manual, and mention any child seat request early so it can be checked before you are quoted. Include details for every driver who may take the wheel.
Finding a car to suit the trip
Start with the journey and pick the car to match it. Smaller cars are suited to city driving and short stays, automatics make local driving easier, estates and SUVs give more room for luggage, and people carriers are a better choice for families or small groups. The range available includes the Fiat 500, VW Golf, Ford Focus Estate, Ford Focus Automatic and Hyundai i10 Automatic, subject to dates, driver details and availability. The precise make, model, transmission, seating, payload and licence position are confirmed when you are quoted, so treat the vehicles listed as a guide to the kind of hire on offer rather than a guaranteed reservation of a particular model.
Sorting Out an Extended Car Booking
If your visit stretches over several weeks, the dates you choose will shape almost everything else about the booking. Write down the day you want the car to start and finish, then note whether either end could shift if plans move. Think about who will be listed as a driver and whether their details, such as name and licence information, are easy to gather before you enquire. It also helps to note where the car should be delivered or collected, and whether that address changes partway through your stay. If you have a preference among the vehicle groups on offer, mention it when you ask for a quote, and keep a note of any questions the team still needs to answer before you confirm.
Thinking Through Your Return Trip
When a journey takes you out and back, the return leg deserves as much planning as the outward one. Note the date and rough time you expect to travel home, and consider whether the car needs to be handed back that same day or the following morning. If passengers or luggage will differ between the two legs, record both versions so the vehicle group can be checked against the larger of the two. Where a different driver might take the wheel on the way back, gather their details in advance as well. Asking the team how flexible the return timing is, and whether collection and delivery can be arranged at separate addresses, will give you a clearer picture before you commit to any dates.
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What to confirm on the phone
Before you confirm the hire, check the key details: vehicle availability, driver requirements, mileage, insurance, delivery or collection arrangements and any extras you have asked for, along with driver age, licence history, the deposit, the insurance excess and any travel abroad. A clear request gives the date, the length of hire, the rough route, the delivery or pickup address, the expected passengers or load, and any particular requirements that might affect which vehicle is suitable.